Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Texas Faith: The future of religion in America

Interfaith friendships are on rise, and so are interfaith
marriages. In an informal survey, nearly 35% of Muslims and Hindus marry
outsides their faiths. The Pew religious landscape pegs it at 31% for the Jewish
community, and the General Social Survey points it to 25 percent for the whole
nation. Hence, affiliations with universal places of worship to accommodate their
special needs are on rise – continued http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/01/texas-faith-future-of-religion-in.html

TEXAS
FAITH: The future of religion in AmericaPublished by Dallas Morning News on
12/31/12

Frank Newport, Gallup’s editor-in-chief, has written
a newbook,God is Alive and Well: The
Future of Religion in America. One of his main conclusions deals with the
communal aspect of religion. Here’s what the public opinion analyst writes about
the data his organization has collected:

“The
religion of tomorrow may increasingly emphasize informal aspects of community
and less hierarchy. Growth will come to branded churches to the extent that they
emulate nondenominational approaches and highlight community, togetherness, and
social fabric ties. Religious leaders will recognize that the social lives of
today’s potential parishioners are more and more involved with ad hoc groupings,
informal networking, and interaction with those who share affinities. Americans
will increasingly recognize that the social and community aspects of religion
are very valuable.”

Here, then, is the question for
discussion:

How
do you see the future for religion in America, especially the communal aspect?
If Newport is right, how do you see your tradition adapting to the religion of
tomorrow?

MIKE
GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

Frank Newport has captured the essence of tomorrow’s
communal aspect of America very well. Indeed, there is a parallel experience at
Facebook, the center of our new universe, where we function in a similar pattern
in a different social setting.

The message of Pluralism and inclusiveness in both
religion and politics has delivered over 10,000 Facebook friends to me, and the
number is still growing with subscribers. While at the same time, Facebook has
made it easier for one to create his or her own group to cater to fulfill his or
her narrow interests as well, thus there is an explosive growth and formation of
innumerable ad hoc groups.

I see the awakening of liberties in each individual
to run from exclusive theological teachings and move towards inclusive
non-denominational churches.

There is rarely a school, workplace, playground or
social settings in urban areas where one is not exposed, and is not connected
with people of different faiths and cultures. Indeed, it is comfortable to be a
part of a congregation where such values are embraced to fulfill of our communal
needs. Indeed, we are built to live in harmony with others and are drawn towards
inclusiveness.

Interfaith friendships are on rise, and so are
interfaith marriages. In an informal survey, nearly 35% of Muslims and Hindus
marry outsides their faiths. The Pew religious landscape pegs it at 31% for the
Jewish community, and the General Social Survey points it to 25 percent for the
whole nation.

Religion is a part of 85% of Americans. Nearly a
1/3rd of all Americans are marrying outside their faith. Hence, affiliations
with universal places of worship to accommodate their special needs are on
rise.

There is also the pleasure principle at work, where
we are drawn toward our comfort zone for our individual needs. Ad hoc groupings
are also increasing to share affinities within religion, social networking,
music, politics, cuisines, hobbies, humor, poetry, gun control etc. And Facebook
has become instrumental in the formation of smaller self-interest
groups.

The shift is toward connecting a piece of an
individual with a similar piece of the other. instead of the whole that may come
with pain from conflict.